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AN INTRODUCTION TO ENTOMOLOGY 



The following are our best-known species. 



The banded purple, Basilarchia arthemis. — The upper surface oi 



the wint^^s is velvety choco- 

 late-black, marked with a 

 conspicuous white bow (Fig. 

 967). 



This is a Canadian spe- 

 cies which extends a short 

 distance into the northern 

 part of the United States; 

 the larva feeds on birch, 

 willow, poplar, and many 

 other plants. 



The red spotted purple, 

 Basilarchia astyanax. — The 

 upper surface of the wings is 

 velvety indigo-black, tinged 

 with blue or green. There 

 are three rows of blue or 

 green spots on the outer 

 third of the hind wings; 

 the spots of the inner row 

 vary greatly in width in 

 different individuals. On 

 the lower surface there is a 

 reddish orange spot in the 

 discal cell of the fore wings, 

 and one on the discal vein; 

 on the hind wings there are 

 two orange spots similarly 

 situated, a third at the base 

 of cell Ri and a row of seven 

 spots just within a double row of submarginal blue or green spots. 



This species occurs 

 throughout nearly the 

 whole of the Eastern 

 United States south of 

 the 43rd parallel of lati- 

 tude. The larva feeds 

 on many plants ; among 

 them are plimi, apple, 

 pear, and gooseberry. 



The hybrid purple, 

 Basilarchia proserpitta. — 

 There is a form of Basil- 

 archia which was de- 

 scribed as a distinct spe- 

 cies under the name pro- 

 serpina, but which is believed to be a hybrid between B. astyanax 



Fig. 966. — Wings of Basilarchia astyanax. 



Fig. 967. — Basilarchia arthemis. 



